Does the Flyers signing Alex Lyon affect Brian Elliott?

The Flyers Re-sign a Backup Netminder and it Was Not Brian Elliott

The Flyers allocated another $700,000 of cap space signing Alex Lyon to a one-year agreement.  Lyon was a free agent signing after a stellar collegiate career at Yale back in 2015.  Lyon’s signing was lauded as a low-risk high reward move by then-general manager Ron Hextall who was looking for any help at the position.

Lyon had become a fixture with the Phantoms appearing in over 140 games over the last several seasons. He also holds the Phantom’s single-game record for saves, recording 94 saves in a quintuple overtime playoff game back in 2018.

As the Flyers addressed their goaltending need through the draft and free agency, Lyon became more and more of a long shot to play substantial time with the big club.  However, Lyon has outlasted players such as Steve Mason, Michal Neuvirth, Petr Mrazek and now it appears he has Brian Elliott.

With Lyon now under contract and a little over $7,000,000 left in cap space with Robert Hagg and Phil Myers still unsigned it does bring Brian Elliott’s future with the club into question. Do the Flyers have enough space left to sign Hagg, Myers, and Elliott?   Does the Flyers’ signing of Lyon in conjunction with the cap constraints indicate that they have moved on from Elliott?  Is there a trade that is soon to be consummated?

There are pieces that the franchise could move, including Van Riemsdyk and Gostisbehere, however, I have heard nothing that indicates a move is imminent. On the surface, it appears that the Flyers feel Hart has grown enough to be the starter and that Lyon brings enough to be a competent backup, at least for next season.

As for Elliott, if his time is over with the Flyers, he should be able to find a job in the league as a solid number two, maybe serve as a mentor as he was to Hart. Elliott recorded an endorsement from the young Hart, who openly petitioned to have Elliott return.

I did not expect the Flyers to bring Lyon back, especially after Hart’s public request to bring Elliott back. It appears the team will begin speaking with Elliott and his agent shortly to figure out if they will bring him back as well. Lyon’s return may have just been to sure up the Phantoms for next season.

Signing Lyon may have brought a little more controversy and intrigue to what was an initially bland free agency outlook.